G’day punchers! It’s less than two weeks out from the draft now and things are getting to the pointy end for our AFL hopefuls.
In case you missed it last week, we’re hosting a first-round watch party at Varsity Innaloo on November 19 with myself and Xavier Ellis on the mic, guest appearances and giveaways throughout the afternoon/evening.
It’s a free event so you can just rock up, but if you pre-register (and you’re over 18) you get your first beer on us and go in the running to win a Fridgy soft cooler and drink bottle worth more than $300.
One of the reasons this year’s draft is so exciting is it’s expected to be the start of a very nice run for WA talent. We’ve got two top-10 chances and a host of kids who project as having long careers at the top level, and the next few years are already looking as good if not better.
I mean, we’ve technically already had a 2027 top-five pick in Axel Walsh, who was signed by Tasmania as part of their generous pre-draft selection package.
So over two newsletter this week we’re going to break down the players in line to be selected.
And if you haven’t joined the mailing list, hit this button to make sure part two lands in your inbox…
Let’s get stuck in.
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HEATH MELLODY
Inside Mid/Half-Back/Wing | Claremont | 184cm
WA U18 averages (4 games): 29 disposals, 5 marks, 4 rebound 50s
WAFL league averages (6 games): 20 disposals, 5 tackles, 5 marks
Expected draft range: 2-5
When Claremont beat South Fremantle in last year’s colts grand final, there was a lightly-framed bottom-ager who finished the game with his name underlined in recruiters’ notebooks. That player was Heath Mellody.
He came back from summer with some muscle on his frame and an extra yard of pace. From his early school games and U18 practice matches you could tell he was in for a big year as a silky outside player. Then when he was shifted onto the ball halfway through the U18 champs, his stocks soared.
He didn’t just compete as an inside mid, he starred. Mellody was named Larke medallist as the player of the champs, then went straight into the Claremont league side as an inside mid and helped get them to a grand final.
He’ll likely start his AFL career as an outside player, but his combination of skill, ability to escape traffic, and poise means once he puts on more size he projects as a deadly midfield weapon.
LEO STEED
Inside midfielder/forward | Swan Districts | 177cm
WA U18 averages (4 games): 24 disposals, 3 tackles, 4 clearances
WAFL league averages (12 games): 14 disposals, 4 tackles, kicked 6.4
Expected draft range: 8-15
Talk to any of his coaches and they all point out the same thing about Leo Steed - he possesses a rare level of competitiveness and determination.
The South Bunbury product missed selection in last year’s U18 squad and used it to motivate him. It only took one game of colts - 31 disposals, eight tackles and a goal - for Swan Districts to realise this kid had got too good, he had to play league immediately.
He played most of his Swans footy as a forward but had some game-breaking stints in the middle. As a permanent midfielder at the U18 champs, he dominated. Steed finished runner-up to Mellody in the Larke Medal and was named an All-Australian. His opening game against South Australia was as well-rounded as you’ll see from a midfielder at the level.
He’s not the tallest mid in the world but he’s clean, he moves well through congestion, makes good decisions and will be ready to go in round one.
GEORGE GALE
Wing | Claremont | 190cm
WA U18 averages (4 games): 28 disposals, 5 marks, 5 inside-50s
WAFL league averages (6 games): 15 disposals, 3 marks
Expected draft range: 20+
It didn’t matter what level he was playing through the first three quarters of this season - WA U18s, colts or school - nine times out of 10 George Gale would have finished with 30+ disposals and been one of the best on ground.
The talented but skinny kid that recruiters had watched come through the pathway put on some serious size. More than once, WA Talent Manager Adam Jones has likened the leap in his physical development to a young Nat Fyfe.
Gale shapes as a prototypical modern winger. He runs all day, he’s great overhead, and he knows where to be to find the football.
He wasn’t quite as consistent at WAFL league level with Claremont, but his best games showed plenty - including a huge performance in the first final against Perth.
I’m expecting big things from Gale.
JAKE SOUTAR
Key defender | East Perth | 192cm
WAFL league averages (20 games): 17 disposals, 7 marks, 3 tackles
Expected draft range: 20+
I can only remember one other mature-aged key defender out of the WAFL who has caused as much draft excitement as Jake Soutar. That player was Harry Taylor. Now, I’m not saying Soutar will play 280 games, win two flags and be an All-Australian, but I am saying it’s rare for a mature backman to get this much buzz.
Soutar was barely on the radar at the start of the year - East Perth didn’t even pick him in round one. By then end of the season he’d won their best and fairest.
There’s good reason to be excited. The sight of him floating in front of a pack to take an intercept mark was a common one in the WAFL this season, he’s also good one-on-one and when he got the ball he used it well going the other way.
He’s an interesting size at 192cm (as measured at the combine) which means he’s unlikely to play on the monsters at AFL level. But as an intercepting third tall, we can see that working very nicely.
KOBY LECRAS
Forward | West Perth | 193cm
Expected draft range: 30+
Koby LeCras probably had more public hype than any other WA player coming into this year. That’s par for the course with a last name like LeCras.
He started the season in great touch, but disaster soon struck the son of Brent and nephew of Mark. Having earned a league debut for the Falcons, he partially tore his ACL towards the end of the match.
Still, he’d been able to show a bit of form in his first senior game, and earlier for the AFL Academy where he kicked three goals against Richmond’s VFL side.
LeCras is a very smart footballer, his lateral movement is great, and he’s pretty versatile as a key forward who gets up to the wing and creates opportunities on the way back. In fact, some recruiters have pondered if he could play in the middle.
He’s done everything right in his recovery. He ran a PB in the 2km at the combine. Now we just wait and see which clubs kept the faith.
That’s the lot for today. Keep an eye out later this week for part two.
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